Monday, August 22, 2011

When Loop holes get government out of the way they’re not loop holes anymore, according to Paul Ryan.

Loop holes are a lot different than pro-growth tax avoidance schemes. Paul Ryan said so.

Paul Ryan, the un-presidential candidate, has rarely if ever been asked to define a “loop hole.” I’m getting the feeling they’re all on a short list and have nothing to do with ending off shore jobs and profits.

The Huffington Post listed some of Ryan’s attempts to achieve tax fairness. And they’re not loop holes I tell ya: 
Take S.C. Johnson & Son, one of Ryan's biggest donors … based in Ryan's district Ryan introduced two bills in May 2005 that would have granted the company special exemptions from tariffs … (one would) reduce the duty on … cleaning appliances "capable of dispensing cleaning solution into a tub or shower enclosure using a button-activated, battery-powered piston pump controlled by a microchip." Those bills didn't move.
I loved that one. Here’s more.
Tax loopholes for fraternity and sorority housing.

Ryan has also backed five bills to cut taxes for beer brewers, reduce beer taxes to pre-1991 levels and repeal occupational taxes relating to distilled spirits, wine and beer. None became law.

Give a tax break to a group the LA Times referred to as "the golf-course underprivileged" … the Caddie Relief Act, which would have allowed golf caddies to forgo paying taxes on their earnings. Ryan has also opposed efforts to close offshore tax loopholes … voted against an amendment in 2006 that would have barred funding for contracts with U.S. companies incorporated offshore to avoid paying U.S. taxes. In 2004, he opposed an amendment that would have prohibited the Export-Import Bank from approving direct loans to U.S. companies incorporated offshore to avoid U.S. taxes.

So why has Ryan worked so hard to create loop holes he supposedly wants to repeal, unless…
Ryan spokesman Kevin Seifert said the lawmaker's record is consistent … "He has proposed specific solutions that eliminate or scale back all special interest tax breaks while advancing pro-growth reforms to help get America back to work.”
Surprise, they weren’t loop holes after all, but “pro-growth” reforms.

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